[Excitement onboard Orm during the day’s testing. From left, navigator Johan Barne, skipper Mats Johansson, helmsman Jesper Bank, trimmer Morten Halkier. Photo: Fredrik Green/Victory Challenge]

(2002-10-20, Auckland). Victory Challenge have selected Orm (SWE 73) for the next stage of the America’s Cup.
“It feels good to have made a decision,” says Mats Johansson, project leader and skipper of the Swedish America’s Cup challenge, and he goes on to say:
“We see greater potential in Orm than Örn”.

He made the decision in consultation with German Frers Jr., the designer of both Örn (SWE 63) and Orm.
This was after a perfect day for Victory Challenge out in Hauraki Gulf.
It began extra early at the base at 85 Halsey Street. The team members, who have not enjoyed a day off in four weeks, assembled for the morning briefing at 06.00 on Sunday morning.
Some had been there for half an hour already to prepare for the departure of Örn and Orm, which was due at 07.00. At that time it was empty out in Hauraki Gulf.
“We eventually saw GBR Challenge and Stars & Stripes”.
However, there were good reasons for Victory Challenge to go out.
The recent wind situation in Auckland has restricted the possibility of more extensive final testing of Orm, which was launched as recently as two months ago to the day.
Only last Sunday was it possible to test Orm against Örn for the first time in the really strong wind. The wind was gusting so strongly that the it was not possible to sail the postponed matches that should have been sailed on the reserve day in the first round of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series. Immediately after the testing, Mats Johansson was adamant that it was Orm he wanted in the second round.
But the few – and short – sailings that have been possible with both boats during the week brought with them a measure of uncertainty.
The dilemma grew when Saturday’s planned two-boat tests were also blown away.
The weather forecast spells out problems for Sunday too. The wind is expected to gradually increase, which is why the decision was made about the extremely early start.
“The guys are being fantastic,” says Mats Johansson.
“That’s why we’ve managed an excellent, long sail. We’re delighted with the results of the tests we performed, both upwind and downwind.”
The wind speed was 10-12 knots when Örn and Orm went out into Hauraki Gulf. During late morning/early afternoon, the wind increased to 18-20 knots. Gusts of 28 knots were recorded. The boats did not arrive back at base until four in the afternoon.
This means that Orm has undergone all the tests required for her to be considered ready to compete in the America’s Cup, which is why Mats Johansson and German Frers Jr. look so relaxed when the final decision is made.
“It’s been a perfect day and we’ve made the right decision, not just now, but also for our long-term progress in the America’s Cup,” says German Frers Jr.

[Helmsman Jesper Bank onboard Orm today]

He’s referring to the quarter-finals, which follow when both round robins are completed. In the round robins all the boats meet twice.
When both rounds have been completed, one of the nine challengers is eliminated.
Things then start in earnest for the remaining eight. It is only in the quarter-finals that the real elimination series begins.
“That’s when the knife is at everyone’s throat, so it’s good that we have the second round robin in which to run in and improve Orm further,” says Mats Johansson.
“It always takes time to draw out the full potential from an America’s Cup boat,” he concludes.
He is so pleased when the decision is made that the sailing team is told that they can finally have the free day they have dreamed of. So Monday is a free day.
When sailing resumes on Tuesday, the crew list will be ready for the first match in round robin two. Even if the round starts on Tuesday, Victory Challenge are not expected to sail until Thursday. Tuesday is reserved to complete the remaining match between Prada and Mascalzone Latino from round robin one. The first matches in round robin two will be sailed on Wednesday. Just as in the previous round, Victory Challenge have a bye on the first day.
The syndicates are entitled to change boats for round robin two. In the first round robin there were only two challengers that used their newest boats. Victory Challenge had then elected to go for the recognised speed of Örn, which had been sailing in Hauraki Gulf ever since mid-December. Orm, which makes its debut on Thursday, is even faster.
Bert Willborg/Victory Challenge